LifeLink Devotional

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Hopefully I will be able to get out to the woods this weekend to start my fall deer hunting season. When I go, I will be prepared with everything I need for a successful hunt. Of all the things I will carry, none is more important to me than my flashlight. I carry three of them. One I wear on my hat so my hands are free when needed. One is a small light with a zoom lens so I can pinpoint spots without shining a wide beam. The third light is a compact rechargeable spotlight that lights up the entire woods. Each light has a unique application, but the basic function of all three is the same – they dispel the darkness so I can see where I’m going and what I’m doing.

When I enter the woods early in the morning, I use the small light to simply light the trail to my tree stand. When I’m getting settled in the tree stand, the headlamp allows me to use both hands to get everything situated. If God blesses me with a deer, and it gets dark at the end of the day, the spotlight assists me in finding my bounty. But there’s one thing each light has in common. It must be out in front of me to do its job. When the light gets behind me, my ability to see is greatly diminished. I cast big shadows on what I want to see when I get in the way of the light.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Many times I can’t see what God wants me to see because I get ahead of Jesus. In order for the Light of the world to keep me out of the darkness, He must be in front of me and I must be following Him.

I often think I know the way, and I run ahead of where the Light is shining. I begin to cast big shadows on the path and I end up tripping and falling. If only I had stayed behind the Light I would have seen what was on the path and avoided it. But instead I find myself lying face down in the dark. When I get up, I must turn around to see the Light again. He hasn’t moved. He’s waiting, and I can clearly see the path in front of me leading back to Him because He’s still shining on me. When I get there, He brushes off the dirt and invites me to follow Him.

Is your path covered in shadows? They are probably your own. Quick, before you trip and fall, turn around. Repent. Walk towards the Light. Jesus is waiting to forgive you for going your own way, and give you sufficient Light to go His way.

Pastor John